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For Today...
'Lord, I come to You'
Well known and popular song from Geoff Bullock, with music which lends itself to worship in gloriously endless variations.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CL1POv2eY04 - a Hillsongs arrangement.(20/11/2024)
Recent links
'You are beautiful beyond description'
A worship song by Mark Altrogge. Lends itself to guitar in A, a gently driving rhythm with a persistent open A in the bass at the start.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkKHhNIySd0 - a different approach, finger-picked (in G) on a classical guitar. Nicely done.(19/11/2024)
'Meekness and majesty'
Powerful and thoughtful song from Mr Kendrick. Useful for communion and in Lent / Holy Week.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gtt52JEW_Zo - Graham Kendrick recording.(18/11/2024)
'You have called us by our name'
A deservedly popular Bernadette Farrell 'all-age' song of church, belonging, and the Christian journey.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTWDmv0kb5g - piano and guitars plus vocal/instrumental descants - children's choir.(17/11/2024)
'Our God is greater'
A song the band can get really their teeth into... especially the electric guitarist. Needs a bit of rethinking for smaller congregations though.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJpt1hSYf2o - Chris Tomlin a live performance.(16/11/2024)
'An army of ordinary people'
A golden oldie with a tune that is near-perfect for adding uplifting instrumental lines.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=57vZbh_zChc - one man, multitracking, very effectively.(15/11/2024)
'Lord Jesus Christ (Living Lord)'
A 1960s song-hymn from Patrick Appleford, and one of the best-known from that period in our repertoire.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QA_g98O42Q4 - a Songs of Praise recording, which uses organ accompaniment.(14/11/2024)
'Jesus is King'
A fine 20th Century hymn with a nicely syncopated rhythm. It's syncopated enough to defeat some congregational singers, alas, but they can hardly be blamed:- I've heard too many church musicians play it like a 19th century congregation would want to sing it, which is a sad thing, as it's great fun when done properly.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=km-zgzp-7wk(13/11/2024)
'Dear Lord and Father of mankind'
Whittier's much-loved hymn... sung to Parry's wonderful tune Repton... with a last verse that sometimes used to get me into contortions on the organ, with that massive crescendo and quiet last line. Not what Whittier had in mind, but hey.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk7SX3r59sc - from the Choir of the Abbey School, Tewkesbury. Just five verses.(12/11/2024)
'O God our help in ages past'
90th Psalm paraphrase, rarely used beyond services of Remembrance now.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjdmLstpNGE - Songs of Praise - the full 5 verses and a nice descant.(11/11/2024)
'God is our strength and refuge'
Eric Coates' stirring tune works well with these words, provided you can separate it from its original purpose. I prefer strictly versified use of the tune to help with that, although I did play it in full once, for the funeral of someone who had served in the RAF.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCJ78TzBJPg - a lockdown recording - organ and soprano - done in a traditional church way.(10/11/2024)
'Eternal Father, strong to save'
Traditional, stirring, hymn for occasions of Remembrance, sung to Melita, a fine tune from J B Dykes.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cHPSFFa5cU - from Wells Cathedral choir(09/11/2024)
'There's a wideness in God's Mercy'
The Geoff Baker song of this title.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_yJOWBLVGo - church service recording from Dromore, N Ireland, with piano and organ accompaniment.(08/11/2024)
'Reign in me'
A little chorus that's been around a while, but is still useful to have in repertoire. Intense, flexible.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEcrJvC4gN0 - A Christ Bowater interpretation - recorded in worship.(07/11/2024)
'Thank You for saving me'
One of those songs that's never suffered from being over-used, but retains a place in repertoire.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7lFYvJHi8k - nicely paced.(06/11/2024)
'Lord, the Light of your Love'
A great anthem of the late 1980s and 90s, still used occasionally. I've always played a slight variation on the original.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rce9UHYZwl4 - album recording, with orchestra and band. I found that there are also quite a few pipe organ recordings of it on Youtube, but none on the banjo, as far as I'm aware.(05/11/2024)
'Brother let me be your Servant'
Now more often known as 'Brother, sister, let me serve you'.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QL3vStmoMDw - here's the man who wrote it (Richard Gillard), singing and accompanying himself on the guitar.(04/11/2024)
'All Earth was Dark'
Graham Kendrick in his usual good form.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-S1R9ReprFg - a local church's live recording.(03/11/2024)
'Let all mortal flesh keep silence'
Ancient French carol tune, and words from the Liturgy of St James, and even older text. Unmissable for communion services in this season.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Dy_qdLwej4 - Stephen Cleobury's arrangement, sung by Somerville College choir.www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHkXHdVwm8o - used as a processional, with a long introduction. From a church in Nebraska.
(02/11/2024)
'For all the saints'
Along hymn, which makes it a good processional. Useful for All Saints' Day and other occasions.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_UvXe-of-s - an 8 verse rendering from the choir of St Edmundsbury cathedral.www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQSLwJtkUd0 - a 6 verse version: congregational singing from Sunnydale, California.
(01/11/2024)
'Alleluia, Sing to Jesus'
The words of W C Dix's great hymn get sung in various different orders. Hyfrydol isn't the only tune used for it, but it's increasingly common - and why not!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rmz-W733sz4 - a regular recording of a church closing hymn.(31/10/2024)
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